For a look at herbs from a perspective that can’t be honored enough, Nature’s Weeds, Native Medicine brings us herbal wisdom from the Native American traditions. Author Marie Miczak shares historical facts, a close look at indigenous herbs, herbal formulas, and even recipes. In this book you can learn how to give your hair a healthy sheen; grow, harvest, and dry your own herbs; make your own deodorants, cleansers, and toners; even learn to make “Pow Wow Corn Soup” and Birch Bark Chicken”.

I found this book informative and downright fun. The projects, recipes, and formulas are simple and explained in a way that will inspire the reader to learn more and to get out and DO. Native American herbalism is a topic any herbalist would be sorely remiss to pass over. The heritage of America is filled with herbalism seem from a miriad of perspectives, but the ways in which the Native Americans view and make use of our native plants is nothing short of fascinating. Nature’s Weeds, Native Medicine helps anyone, beginner or otherwise, appreciate and learn what to me is a beautiful facet of the practice of plants as medicine.

Author Marie Miczak is both a pharmacology and certified nutritional consultant at the Monmouth Total Healthcare Center of Eatontown, New Jersey. She is a featured herbal columnist at the News from Indian Country, the Native American Review. Nature’s Weeds, Native Medicine has been published by Lotus Press.